Dallas Cowboys: 3 Replacements for Randy Gregory in free agency

Dallas Cowboys EDGE replacement No. 2: Anthony Barr

Another former first-round pick, Anthony Barr might not seem like a perfect replacement at first. For the past eight seasons, he’s been a linebacker in Mike Zimmer’s defense with the Minnesota Vikings.

For what it’s worth, he’s been a great linebacker too. Barr has made it to four Pro Bowls (from 2015 through 2018) and racked up 495 tackles and 17.5 sacks in his career. While he’s done good in this role, Barr might have had just as much success as a pass rusher. In fact, that’s what he would have been had the Dallas Cowboys landed him.

Back in the 2014 NFL Draft, Dallas was scouting Barr as they were looking for someone to replace DeMarcus Ware — their top defensive end who they released in a salary-cap move. Barr was gone at No. 9 so Dallas never had a shot at him, although they did alright with Zack Martin at No. 16.

The Cowboys then traded up in the second round to select Boise State defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who is still their best pass rusher. Fast forward to 2022, and the Cowboys have a chance to bring in the edge rusher who they ended up with in 2014 as well as one that they had their eye on in Barr.

It might be a little ‘out of the box’ but putting the 6-foot-5, 257-pounder in Gregory’s old role could be a lot of fun for Dan Quinn.